I don't really feel this is crazy. Think he's just a classic example of a guy who'd be a big name if he was playing in a different conference. If he was at Notre Dame, I imagine there'd be people saying he should go in the top 15.

At this point the draft process makes so little sense that I challenge people to say something sane. Does it sound like something crazy?

Well, in the OP I said I had a feeling Ryan Aplin (proj. 7-FA) could be the best QB in this class, which is quite a lot crazier than saying Vance McDonald (proj. 2-3) could be the best tight end. I was thinking I just wanted to hear some distinct (if weak) opinions about players that people didn't want to get roasted for in another thread. It's not supposed to be a "make a bold prediction" thread, but literally a thread to post a thought that you wouldn't even bet on yourself, but has, for whatever, emerged in your mind as a plausible scenario.

Okay, my crazy opinion is Johnthan Banks to the Broncos at #28. Very productive, decorated player, team captain with great character. Fits the description of the previous top picks (Von Miller, Derek Wolfe). Manti Te'o would also fit the mold IF the Broncos are not bothered by the hoax.

okay, something "crazier" than McDonald being the best tight end. Sam McGuffie will have several 1k seasons in the NFL and provide a useful role, whether it be from scrimmage or just receiving.

Nowhere close to top 10 right now like the video says, but he has the size/speed and potential. If you look at him as a senior and compare the way he looks compared to freshman year, it looks like the difference between a man and a boy. He did put up close 1300 yards from scrimmage in 2010 with 9 tds, with 400 of those coming from receiving. It looks like wideout was his best spot all along but they waited pretty late to put him there. He never seemed to have the vision to play rb well, Rice produced only creases and he struggled with finding them.

Looks like he could play the outside as well as slot and has more ability for the jump ball with leaping ability moreso than the prototypical slot guy, the catch at 45 seconds against Air Force is what got me interested in him as a wideout...Welker doesn't catch those kinds of passes. Great special teams ability, the blocked kick was impressive, the dude kicked it and he caught it right in front of him and ran it in for a td at 1:13 in the vid

okay, something "crazier" than McDonald being the best tight end. Sam McGuffie will have several 1k seasons in the NFL and provide a useful role, whether it be from scrimmage or just receiving.

Nowhere close to top 10 right now like the video says, but he has the size/speed and potential. If you look at him as a senior and compare the way he looks compared to freshman year, it looks like the difference between a man and a boy. He did put up close 1300 yards from scrimmage in 2010 with 9 tds, with 400 of those coming from receiving. It looks like wideout was his best spot all along but they waited pretty late to put him there. He never seemed to have the vision to play rb well, Rice produced only creases and he struggled with finding them.

Looks like he could play the outside as well as slot and has more ability for the jump ball with leaping ability moreso than the prototypical slot guy, the catch at 45 seconds against Air Force is what got me interested in him as a wideout...Welker doesn't catch those kinds of passes. Great special teams ability, the blocked kick was impressive, the dude kicked it and he caught it right in front of him and ran it in for a td at 1:13 in the vid

I thought they should have made Sam a wr from the beginning and not sure going to Michigan was the best move for him either. When he focused on catching the ball this past year he did pretty well averaging around 11 yards a catch.

Not to get into a whole thing about certain guys not getting a chance but there are probably only so many slots available for a Welker or an Amendola. I think if McGuffie gets a shot in the right place he could really put up some numbers.

It's sort of interesting that two of the more freakish athletes at the wideout position, Swope and McGuffie, are, shall we say, sort of on the pale side.

I thought they should have made Sam a wr from the beginning and not sure going to Michigan was the best move for him either. When he focused on catching the ball this past year he did pretty well averaging around 11 yards a catch.

Not to get into a whole thing about certain guys not getting a chance but there are probably only so many slots available for a Welker or an Amendola. I think if McGuffie gets a shot in the right place he could really put up some numbers.

It's sort of interesting that two of the more freakish athletes at the wideout position, Swope and McGuffie, are, shall we say, sort of on the pale side.

there is also josh lenz who also ran a 4.3 (I think a high 4.3 though), 38 1/2 inch vertical 10 01 vertical 4.2 shuttle and 6.59 3 cone drill. , know he has had more injury concerns than the other 2, same weight as McGuffie but a little over 5'11, but those are alot of 4.3's, very interesting indeed. It would be funny if someone like TJ Moe wound up to be the most productive out of the paleface receivers with his slower times, although good in agility drills but not a freakish athlete.

there is also josh lenz who also ran a 4.3 (I think a high 4.3 though), 38 1/2 inch vertical 10 01 vertical 4.2 shuttle and 6.59 3 cone drill. , know he has had more injury concerns than the other 2, same weight as McGuffie but a little over 5'11, but those are alot of 4.3's, very interesting indeed. It would be funny if someone like TJ Moe wound up to be the most productive out of the paleface receivers with his slower times, although good in agility drills but not a freakish athlete.

Moe has real good cone times so him playing the slot probably is a definite possibility.

yeah thats why Swope ran past SEC corners with ease last year, including the ones where he was underthrown or overthrown and McGuffie has no problem with getting past defenders with his speed but needs to work on route running

and why don't some people seem to understand that 40 yards means 40 yards, not a 60 yard dash or a 100 yard dash, and people also don't seem to understand angles and the different schemes of offenses how players are used and how defenders are playing. Swope was used as an outlet receiver alot on simple possession routes where there would be defenders right by him before the ball got to him.

Swope was used as an outlet receiver alot on simple possession routes where there would be defenders right by him before the ball got to him.

This is a fair point. I just saw a number of times when the ball was dumped off to him and he couldn't turn the corner. Maybe other players could not have as well, but I seem to remember guys like Harvin that could.

I personally think Swope did a good job of eating up yards after the catch even though he couldn't turn the corner. He just has less burst and "wiggle" than I would expect from a 4.3 runner. That said, a 40 yard dash is a very different technical skill than bending a crossing route up field and beating the corner/safety to a spot, so I guess they shouldn't be compared like that.

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I haven't seen much of McGuffie since he left Michigan. He didn't impress me at RB that year, so I sort of wrote him off as High School youtube sensation. I'm kind of glad to see that he moved to WR and he's getting some draft buzz.

I feel like last year is going to go down as a terrific draft for quarterbacks, but I think this year is going to become legendary for its receivers. It's not just that there are some good ones, it's that there are so many of them. I've never seen this many prospects who I watch and think look like starting caliber wide receivers. I have no problem imagining each of these players having 1000-yard seasons, garnering after-season awards, and in general making Sportscenter and being worth some money in fantasy leagues:

And those are just the ones I feel really good about. Then there's this whole other list of highly-rated players (In general listed as third-rounders or better) who certainly wouldn't surprise me, either:

There's about to be a huge influx of quality wide receivers, and I think they're going to rise to prominence quickly enough, as a class, that it's sort of going to feel like a sea change in the NFL. I think in the way that there was a really great competition for best rookie quarterback last year, this year it's going to be all about the wide receivers. I expect whoever wins the title of "best rookie wideout" next year is going to have an amazing season.

Anyone who thought Ryan Swope would run a 4.3 predraft is not telling the truth.
He definitely doesn't play at that speed.

He occasionally showed his quickness at A&M, but I definitely would say his style was more of "find the open holes" in the defense and attack them that way. That doesn't mean that he can't play at high speed routes though either.

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Anyone who thought Ryan Swope would run a 4.3 predraft is not telling the truth.
He definitely doesn't play at that speed.

you're right - no one had him pegged for a 4.3 guy. But, I did notice that he never seemed to get caught from behind when I watched his game tape. What I was very ready to call him was a guy who "plays faster than he times." but then he ran 4.3 and it really wasn't necessary. I think it is just that he's not running full speed through secondaries when he's trying to get open, preferring to read the coverages and play to soft spots, and so his style of play isn't one which depends on or regularly showcases his long speed; he has great quickness, awareness, and hands, too, and the way he was used highlighted those aspects of his game the most. But the breakaway plays are there on the film, so I'd always thought of him as a big-play threat.

I've seen Swope in the open field where he's clear of any defenders except some who kind of have the angle on him. Sometimes Swope can take it to the house. Sometimes he gets horse collared by a cornerback.

I don't always see that initial burst when I see Swope run, unlike Johnny Manziel for instance.
WHen Johnny Football decides to run, his first 4-5 steps are blazing once he turns upfield. He just doesn't maintain that speed or build on it.

I expect Swope to be a good pro, but like others have said, his measurables imply he's a different kind of athlete in pads than he actually is.